"to strengthen, render strong, corroborate, confirm; pass. to grow strong, acquire strength, Lk. 1:80; 2:40; Eph. 3:16; to be firm, resolute, 1 Cor. 16:13*"
Definition and meaning
to strengthen, render strong, corroborate, confirm; pass. to grow strong, acquire strength, Lk. 1:80; 2:40; Eph. 3:16; to be firm, resolute, 1 Cor. 16:13*
In the original Greek the word is written: κραταιόω
Historical context
Luke wrote as a historian addressing a Greek audience. He carefully interviewed eyewitnesses and arranged events in order. The social and economic realities he describes — Roman taxation, Jewish religious hierarchy, the marginalization of women and the poor — are consistent with first-century Judea under Roman administration.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of krataioo (G2901) across the King James Bible.
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his shewing unto Israel.
And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.
Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
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Common questions
Strong's G2901 (krataioo) is a Greek word that means: to strengthen, render strong, corroborate, confirm; pass. to grow strong, acquire strength, Lk. 1:80; 2:40; Eph. 3:16; to be firm, resolute, 1 Cor. 16:13* It appears 4 times in the King James Bible.
The word krataioo (G2901) appears 4 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G2901 is krataioo, a Greek word defined as: to strengthen, render strong, corroborate, confirm; pass. to grow strong, acquire strength, Lk. 1:80; 2:40; Eph. 3:16; to be firm, resolute, 1 Cor. 16. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
krataioo is a Greek word found in the New Testament.